Smith returned after being cup-tied as John Sutton dropped to the bench. Gary Irvine was suspended and was replaced at right-back by Stelios Demetriou.

Ayr’s previous game was ironically a 2-1 defeat to the Tangerines too. United also made two changes as Alan Forrest and El Alagui returned to the starting line-up to replace Craig Moore and Gary Harkins.

And the home side got off to an amazing start in the fifth minute when Mallan cracked home an absolute belter of an opening goal.

Adam Eckersley’s cross from the left was headed to safety by the Ayr defence – or at least they thought it was.

Mallan watched the ball fall nicely into his path at the edge of the box, and unleashed his low angled volley past Ayr goalie Greg Fleming into the back of the net.

The Saints fans went wild for their talented young midfielder, who almost certainly will get his big move to the English Championship in the summer.